Match Predictions – Wales v Austria

Ahead of the crucial World Cup Qualifier vs Austria, our writers are joined by Welsh fans, writers and media personalities, in giving their predictions of how the match will pan out.

Hope this adds to the pre-game build up for all fans either going to the game or watching on television. Cannot wait!

Craig Muncey, Co-Founder, Y Ddraig

Wales go into this one needing the win and worryingly have a few players under played or not playing at all in potential starters such as Jazz Richards and Joe Ledley and a definite starter like Aaron Ramsey has not had much playing time for Arsenal so far this season.

Wales will also be missing a key player to the side in Joe Allen. The midfielder is the perfect foil with combined with a fully match fit Joe Ledley. Allen controls the tempo of the Welsh game with his passing and ability to keep the ball in pressure situations. So a big loss.

I expect Chris Coleman to start with a midfield two of David Edwards and Joe Ledley giving Ramsey the freedom to move forward and influence the game further forward. However, with this set up I do worry about our ability to get the ball forward to Ramsey and Bale with that setup and how we deal with their central midfield of David Alaba and Julian Baumgartliner.

My heart says a 2-1 win to Wales, but I fear another draw being the final outcome.

Prediction: Wales 1 Austria 1

Scott Salter, Co-Founder, Y Ddraig

Bale back to his best in a must win game.

Prediction: Wales 2 Austria 0

Ben Leggatt, Editor, Y Ddraig

In my opinion, it’s gonna be a really tough game, against a very good side. I think it’ll be a cagey and nervy match because we need a win, but it’ll be a moment of brilliance that wins it for us at the end, to bring us a bit of relief to the next match! Guaranteed to be a nervy one, but I’m going for a narrow Wales win!

Prediction: Wales 1 Austria 0

Josh Slack, Editor, Y Ddraig

It will be close for sure but think we’ll nick it 2-1!

Prediction: Wales 2 Austria 1

Neil Jones, Writer, Y Ddraig

I’m going for 2-0 Wales, with their best performance of the Qualifiers so far.

Prediction: Wales 2 Austria 0

Dan Lewis, Writer, Y Ddraig

A tough game, but only three points will do from this point onwards. Man for man we are the better side and, with Bale hopefully fit and firing, this could be another famous night at Cardiff City Stadium. 3-1.

Prediction: Wales 3 Austria 1

Ben Catton, Writer, Y Ddraig

2-1 Wales. Bale being back will provide a spark that was clearly missing in the game against Serbia, hopefully, the lack of depth in midfield won’t cause us too many problems. We have to keep Arnautović quiet but also be clinical up top, only a win will do.

Prediction: Wales 2 Austria 1

Joe Ledley’s Beard

I’m going 3-1 Wales. We love our big games and with the stadium rocking tomorrow we should get the job done. We should have beaten Austria away and hopefully, despite our injuries and suspensions, we’ll be able to take advantage of their poor form.

Prediction: Wales 3 Austria 1

Mark Evans, Dial M for Merthyr.

Wales to win 3-1. Sam Vokes on the scoresheet

Prediction: Wales 3 Austria 1

Mark Pitman

Joe Allen will be a huge loss in midfield, but in Bale, Ramsey and a passionate Cardiff crowd there’s always a chance. This is make or break and the players know they have to produce in this match. The future of the manager could depend upon it. 2-1 win to Wales.

Prediction: Wales 2 Austria 1

The Barry Horns

Wales for the win 3-2, open game with neither side respecting the other. All or nothing now.

Prediction: Wales 3 Austria 2

Gareth Taylor, Contributor for Podcast Pel-droed

I was uncharacteristically optimistic and went for a 2-0 win on a recent podcast. The other lads also all predicted a win. We had a general feeling of what we have read and heard from one of our contributors Leon, who lives in Austria, that there is a lot of pessimism amongst their fans. Key players are missing and they have seemed in decline since their underperformance at the Euros. Having said that, they have as many points as us and players in midfield such as Arnautovic, Alaba and Baumgartlinger with enough quality to hurt us if we don’t get it right tactically in Allen’s absence.

How we cope without our most consistent performer in Allen, and our lack of match fit central midfielders is key. Beyond that, it is a mental challenge. We have not had the pressure of needing to win four straight games at the end of a qualification campaign before other than pre-2015 when it was usually just a faint possibility by this stage anyway. Seven points from twelve were enough as we already had points in the bank two years ago and that included Andorra at home to finish.

Huge character will need to be shown and I reckon we have it. But I also reckon Moldova will be more nervous than people imagine.

Prediction: Wales 2 Austria 0

So there you have it, twelve predictions, and all bar one going for a Welsh win (anyone that knows me will not be surprised by my pessimism).

Promises to be a roller coaster of emotions tonight for all Welsh fans, and not long to wait. Come on Wales, three points, let’s put pressure on the others and keep the qualification dream alive and then onto Moldova.